Month: March 2018

DMG, Amana Colonies GC, Glen Oaks CC to host IGA Member Play Days

March 16, 20180 commentsNews

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER TODAY!

Des Moines Golf & Country Club (pictured above), Amana Colonies Golf Club and Glen Oaks Country Club will host IGA Member Play Days in 2018. The IGA is pleased again this year to organize the opportunity for our members to play these courses which are either not normally available to the public, or available for a reduced rate. The fee varies for each day but each time is less than the normal guest fee. These play days are not formal competitions and are open exclusively to IGA Members.

The first IGA Member Play Day will be held on Monday, May 7th, at DMGCC ($135 per person).  Amana Colonies GC ($45 per person) will host the second IGA Member Play day on Monday, Aug. 27th and Glen Oaks CC ($105 per person) will host on Monday, Oct. 15. All play days include golf, cart, range and a box lunch.

As in the past, golfers are encouraged to bring their own foursome as pairing requests will be honored (as nearly as possible). We have reserved a block of morning tee times at these great facilities so all play will begin from the 1st tee. Just come, have fun and whatever “games” you want to play within your group or groups is totally up to you. Each event includes golf, range balls, & cart. Sign up early because once the tee time block is gone we will not allow any more entries.

As stated previously, the opportunity to play these prestigious clubs is an exclusive benefit only to IGA members. An IGA Member is anyone who has a membership number through their enrollment in the GHIN Handicap Service at an IGA Member club. If you are not already a member, simply sign up for the GHIN Handicap Service at an IGA Member Club or you can sign up online by clicking here. A complete list of member clubs is available under the “Member Clubs” tab at the top of the page.

Registration for the IGA Member Play Days is now open – Click here to register

Watch 8 USGA Championships without commercial interruption in 2018

March 15, 20180 commentsNews, Uncategorized, USGA

During FOX Sports’ presentation of the U.S. Open from Shinnecock Hills Golf Club (pictured above) in June, Rolex will present the final hour of coverage in this uninterrupted format and support a rich, interactive media history experience that will launch in April on usopen.com.

Innovative Broadcast Experience with Uninterrupted Coverage for Golf Fans Highlights Extended USGA-Rolex Partnership

LIBERTY CORNER, N.J. – Continuing a relationship that began in 1980, the USGA and Rolex have extended their partnership, assuring that together they will continue to steward some of golf’s greatest moments for the long term. 

Through activation across broadcast, digital, social and emerging media, the USGA and Rolex will deliver new ways to promote and celebrate the game and its rich history.  

“Rolex’s support through nearly four decades has been instrumental in helping us drive the game forward,” said Mike Davis, CEO/executive director of the USGA. “We are excited that the continuation of our partnership will expand our impact on golf around the world and elevate and celebrate our championships’ iconic venues, legendary champions and signature moments in innovative ways.”

This will be most clearly seen through the uninterrupted broadcast of multiple USGA championships. Beginning in 2018, Rolex will be the exclusive presenting partner of coverage for eight USGA championships on FOX Sports and FS1, including the U.S. Women’s Open, the U.S. Senior Open and the U.S. Amateur. Rolex’s commitment will ensure an uninterrupted broadcast of these events, providing golf fans hours of continuous live golf action as history unfolds.

“We are excited to further FOX Sports’ commitment to innovative and immersive viewing experiences for our audiences, as well as targeted messaging for our partners,” said Bruce Lefkowitz, executive VP of ad sales at Fox Networks Group. “These uninterrupted broadcasts give us the opportunity to innovate and differentiate our telecast, while capitalizing on the unique nature of the USGA championships to provide viewers with more live action and new perspectives on the golfers and championships.”

The innovative format will allow FOX Sports and the USGA to deliver more golf content to fans around the world, while providing Rolex the opportunity to demonstrate their commitment to the amateur and professional game. Features and video vignettes highlighting signature moments, legendary champions, and the iconic venues that make up these championships will be seamlessly integrated to further entertain, engage and educate the audience. 

With involvement at all levels of competition, Rolex has a longstanding and enduring relationship with the game of golf. 

“Our deep commitment for over 50 years to championing the great game of golf and fostering individual excellence have hallmarked our USGA partnership, which stands as one of the longest and widest reaching,” said Arnaud Boetsch, Rolex SA Director of Communication and Image. “We are proud to showcase the greatest moments in golf together and to foster our commitment to developing this great game for years to come.” 

During FOX Sports’ presentation of the U.S. Open from Shinnecock Hills Golf Club (pictured above) in June, Rolex will present the final hour of coverage in this uninterrupted format and support a rich, interactive media history experience that will launch in April on usopen.com. The innovative digital destination will honor the history and legends of the game and further the celebration of all U.S. Open champions and the grand stages that identified them as the world’s best players.  

Rolex will also continue to serve as the lead partner for Rules of Golf content and remains committed to supporting the work being done to modernize the Rules of Golf globally. 

The full USGA on FOX broadcast schedule, which will be released this spring, begins with coverage of the U.S. Women’s Open Championship May 31-June 3. 

“The winner in this partnership, ultimately, is the fan,” said Davis. “Uninterrupted live golf coverage across eight of our championships is unprecedented. We are excited for the viewer to see the creativity of FOX Sports and be inspired by the stories that unfold across our championships.”

About the USGA
The USGA celebrates, serves and advances the game of golf. Founded in 1894, we conduct many of golf’s premier professional and amateur championships, including the U.S. Open and U.S. Women’s Open. With The R&A, we govern the sport via a global set of playing, equipment and amateur status rules. Our operating jurisdiction for these governance functions is the United States, its territories and Mexico. The USGA Handicap System is utilized in more than 40 countries and our Course Rating System covers 95 percent of the world’s golf courses, enabling all golfers to play on an equitable basis. The USGA campus in Liberty Corner, New Jersey, is home to the Association’s Research and Test Center, where science and innovation are fueling a healthy and sustainable game for the future. The campus is also home to the USGA Golf Museum, where we honor the game by curating the world’s most comprehensive archive of golf artifacts. To learn more, visit usga.org.

About Rolex

Rolex, the Swiss watch brand headquartered in Geneva, enjoys an unrivalled reputation for quality and expertise the world over. Its Oyster and Cellini watches, all certified as Superlative Chronometers for their precision, performance and reliability, are symbols of excellence, elegance and prestige. Founded by Hans Wilsdorf in 1905, the brand pioneered the development of the wristwatch and is at the origin of numerous major watchmaking innovations, such as the Oyster, the first waterproof wristwatch, launched in 1926, and the Perpetual rotor self-winding mechanism invented in 1931. Rolex has registered over 400 patents in the course of its history. A truly integrated and independent manufacturing company, Rolex designs, develops and produces in-house all the essential components of its watches, from the casting of the gold alloys to the machining, crafting, assembly and finishing of the movement, case, dial and bracelet. Rolex is also actively involved in supporting the arts, sports, exploration, the spirit of enterprise, and the environment through a broad palette of sponsoring activities, as well as philanthropic programmes.

Youth on Course Announces Partnership with Iowa Golf Association

March 5, 20180 commentsNews

Affordable Junior Golf Program Expands to 700 Courses in 23 States

Youth on Course — the non-profit providing young people with subsidized golf, college scholarships, caddie programs and paid internships – partners with the Iowa Golf Association (IGA) to bring affordable junior golf to the Hawkeye state.

Members ages 6-18 in this territory will be able to join the Youth on Course national network and access unlimited golf for $5 or less per round at 700 facilities across 23 states. Having more than 200 member golf courses that stretch across the state, the IGA plans to announce the selection of participating courses in coming weeks.

“Iowa’s junior golf population is rapidly growing, and we believe affordable access will help take it to the next level,” says Adam Heieck, Youth on Course Executive Director. “As we continue adding partner courses, local juniors will have their pick of reasonably priced golf options.”

Having already partnered with four other golf associations in 2018 (Colorado Golf Association, Greater Cincinnati Golf Association, Golf Association of Philadelphia, Maryland State Golf Association), Youth on Course continues to gain momentum. Operating in every U.S. region, Youth on Course has upwards of 30,000 active members. Since 2006, juniors have completed 650,000 rounds.

“We’ve been looking for ways to do more for our juniors and I have no doubt adding the Youth on Course program state-wide will be a home run,” says Chad Pitts, IGA Executive Director. “The benefits to the kids are first and foremost, but our member clubs will also experience increased traffic during non-peak hours.”

Support for Youth on Course drives the organization’s growth across America. Many view the initiative as a bridge between youth instruction and consistent play throughout adulthood, as well as an opportunity for junior golfers to interact outside of a competition setting.

In addition to promoting the game through affordable access to golf, nearly 200 individuals have benefited from Youth on Course scholarships totaling $1.2 million in financial support. The current college scholarship retention rate is 98 percent, with 46 students already graduated from a four-year university.

A list of participating IGA member courses will be announced in early April. Be sure to check back for more information.

 

About Youth on Course

The core purpose of Youth on Course is to provide juniors with access to life-changing opportunities through golf. Members play hundreds of courses for $5 or less, benefit from employment through the Caddie Academy and internship program, and receive college scholarships. Headquartered in Pebble Beach, Youth on Course is a 501(c)3 organization that began as the charitable arm of the Northern California Golf Association. Since 2006, nearly 650,000 rounds have been played by Youth on Course participants and more than $1.2 million has been raised for college scholarships. Currently, Youth on Course serves Arizona, California, Colorado, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Utah, Washington, and Wisconsin with the goal of delivering affordable golf in all 50 states by 2020.

 

About the Iowa Golf Association (IGA)

The Iowa Golf Association serves as the governing body of golf for the state of Iowa. Run by amateur golfers the IGA provides a variety of programs and services that benefit everyone who plays the game. The IGA is an Allied Golf Association of the United States Golf Association.

The IGA’s most visible role is to conduct state championships for men, women and juniors, including the Iowa Amateur for more than 100 years. The IGA also conducts USGA qualifiers and offers a series of for-fun events called the “Member Play Days” which is open to IGA members of all skill levels.

The IGA provides services to nearly 200 member golf clubs and courses and over 20,000 individual members.  The Iowa Golf Hall of Fame, the IGA Scholarship programs and Youth on Course programs are administered under the IGA Foundation, a 501 c3 non-profit entity.

For complete information on the IGA please visit www.iowagolf.org.

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